Thoughts

[CodyJPhoto]

Hi folks! I truly appreciate this community and all the assistance offered. I've been a little all over the place as my gf lead me to thinking she wanted a few different options, but when I pushed a bit more, I was guided in the right direction!

So I'm looking at a few options right now, time is probably my biggest issue as I fly out to NYC to pop the question on April 3rd, I'd need to have the ring in hand by April 1st so I'm cutting it a little close!

I have these ovals reserved with JamesAllen, I requested Aset images, but I'm not sure at this moment if I'll have time to wait the 5 days for them:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-259145

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-285969

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-sku-263587

- In this setting: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-oval-center-item-17437

The top end of my budget is $6,000 but I'd prefer to be in the $5,000 range all in. With a 1.0Ct diamond that really reflects light nicely!

I know that most places don't really rate their cut grades on fancy diamonds, so are the Asets the way to go?

I really want to avoid the bow tie effect, in speaking with Jamesallen they've indicated that it seems minimal, but they don't have anyone looking at the actual diamonds yet so they're basing it off their pictures, which is beneficial because they're nice and are the only ones I've found providing them.

I've also been recommended GOG, the diamond recommended is a little high on my budget, their search seems to randomly suggest diamonds I'm not sure what it's based on for choice, you can't really get a list.

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond.php?d=23619&shape=256&ctMin=1.00&ctMax=1.35&clarity=124&color=62&priceMin=3250&priceMax=4750&resultsColumns=268435471&singleResult=1 - This was one that it suggested to me.

 

[msop04]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-259145

- In this setting: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-oval-center-item-17437

The top end of my budget is $6,000 but I'd prefer to be in the $5,000 range all in. With a 1.0Ct diamond that really reflects light nicely!

I know that most places don't really rate their cut grades on fancy diamonds, so are the Asets the way to go?

I really want to avoid the bow tie effect, in speaking with Jamesallen they've indicated that it seems minimal, but they don't have anyone looking at the actual diamonds yet so they're basing it off their pictures, which is beneficial because they're nice and are the only ones I've found providing them.

I've also been recommended GOG, the diamond recommended is a little high on my budget, their search seems to randomly suggest diamonds I'm not sure what it's based on for choice, you can't really get a list.

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond.php?d=23619&shape=256&ctMin=1.00&ctMax=1.35&clarity=124&color=62&priceMin=3250&priceMax=4750&resultsColumns=268435471&singleResult=1 - This was one that it suggested to me.

Hi Cody

It looks as if the faceting on the GOG stone may be the best of the four, but it's hard to tell from just a photo and I'm a little hesitant on the I color for an oval (ovals will show more body color than rounds)... coming in 2nd is the H/SI1 stone (I love that it has SBF, and I prefer the chubbier shape). I don't care for the I or J on JA, as they will most definitley show color.

Do you know if your FF prefers longer/skinnier ovals or shorter/chubbier ovals?

 

[CodyJPhoto]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-259145

- In this setting: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-oval-center-item-17437

The top end of my budget is $6,000 but I'd prefer to be in the $5,000 range all in. With a 1.0Ct diamond that really reflects light nicely!

I know that most places don't really rate their cut grades on fancy diamonds, so are the Asets the way to go?

I really want to avoid the bow tie effect, in speaking with Jamesallen they've indicated that it seems minimal, but they don't have anyone looking at the actual diamonds yet so they're basing it off their pictures, which is beneficial because they're nice and are the only ones I've found providing them.

I've also been recommended GOG, the diamond recommended is a little high on my budget, their search seems to randomly suggest diamonds I'm not sure what it's based on for choice, you can't really get a list.

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond.php?d=23619&shape=256&ctMin=1.00&ctMax=1.35&clarity=124&color=62&priceMin=3250&priceMax=4750&resultsColumns=268435471&singleResult=1 - This was one that it suggested to me.

Hi Cody

It looks as if the faceting on the GOG stone may be the best of the four, but it's hard to tell from just a photo and I'm a little hesitant on the I color for an oval (ovals will show more body color than rounds)... coming in 2nd is the H/SI1 stone (I love that it has SBF, and I prefer the chubbier shape). I don't care for the I or J on JA, as they will most definitley show color.

Do you know if your FF prefers longer/skinnier ovals or shorter/chubbier ovals?

Hello!

Thank you for your advice and thoughts!

I do like the H one as well. I'm not sure to be honest, but I imagine she'd want slightly longer/skinnier ovals as her fingers are long and slender.

 

[Sakuracherry]

I'd wait for ASETs, but I would not go down to J in ovals. I've compared a J oval next to a J MRB and was surprised to see how much color the oval showed.

 

[CodyJPhoto]

I'd wait for ASETs, but I would not go down to J in ovals. I've compared a J oval next to a J MRB and was surprised to see how much color the oval showed.

Do you think the 'H' from JA will shine bright and reflect light nicely? http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-259145 ? I'm trying to have JA get the ASET through ASAP lol.

 

[tyty333]

I'd wait for ASETs, but I would not go down to J in ovals. I've compared a J oval next to a J MRB and was surprised to see how much color the oval showed.

Do you think the 'H' from JA will shine bright and reflect light nicely? http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-259145 ? I'm trying to have JA get the ASET through ASAP lol.

I see mush under the table around the edge in the long direction of the stone (height) . Aset will verify one way or the other.

 

[tyty333]

This one?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-295879

 

[Gypsy]

bowtie.

 

[Gypsy]

I'd buy this diamond available right now: http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/11794/$5,559.00 That ASET and the pictures show a nice stone. Ask for them to make you a video comparing it to the I VVS you were looking at.

 

[Gypsy]

They'll be open tomorrow. Just wait and they can help you out.

 

[CodyJPhoto]

They'll be open tomorrow. Just wait and they can help you out.

I will be calling them for sure, I sent them an email Saturday right after your suggestion but I think they had closed and now I've been patiently waiting lol, maybe not too patiently, but looking to have a contingency plan just in case we can't square things away. I do trust that diamond you suggested is stellar, but with their $1,500 setting that's out of my budget for sure.

 

[tyty333]

This one?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-295879

Bowtie on this? No...its got arrows going through it just like a round brilliant but no major dark areas in the middle or area where it
goes from lots of little facets to just a few larger facets. I consider this to be a very nice looking oval.

I guess what people consider bowties can differ.

These have dreaded bowties..
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-280107 to large of dark center

Faceting pattern goes from lots of little facets to bigger facets in not an attractive way
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.65-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-295956

 

[msop04]

This one?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-295879

I saw this stone and really liked it (I can't see a bow-tie, but I'm no oval expert)... The only thing is OP said his top budget was $6000 and the setting was $1000. I really think this stone is great though.

 

[msop04]

This one?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-295879

I saw this stone and really liked it (I can't see a bow-tie, but I'm no oval expert)... The only thing is OP said his top budget was $6000 and the setting was $1000. I really think this stone is great though.

OP, would it be possible to stretch your budget a couple hundred bucks and do the above stone in this setting?? I think this would look amazing!!

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...iamond-engagement-ring-oval-center-item-17457 $725 + $5530 = $6255 (BEFORE PS discount)

 

[CodyJPhoto]

This one?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-295879

I saw this stone and really liked it (I can't see a bow-tie, but I'm no oval expert)... The only thing is OP said his top budget was $6000 and the setting was $1000. I really think this stone is great though.

OP, would it be possible to stretch your budget a couple hundred bucks and do the above stone in this setting?? I think this would look amazing!!

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...iamond-engagement-ring-oval-center-item-17457 $725 + $5530 = $6255 (BEFORE PS discount)

That`s really stretching for me!!!

So GOG basically let me know that I have to pay a $100 deposit to work with them as they don`t have in house stuff. Not sure I can commit to that and wait and hope they get good stuff and then have it come in.